Military to dismantle 'illegal' MILF training camp in Iligan

ZAMBOANGA City, Philippine - Troops have discovered an illegal training camp of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters in a remote village in Iligan City.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said Friday that its ceasefire committee received reports from the Philippine Army's 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, confirming the presence of the "illegal" MILF training structure.

It said that the ceasefire committee, escorted by the military, will proceed to the area and oversee the dismantling of the training camp, located near the boundary of Sitio Limonsodan, Barangay Waterfalls of Rogongon.

The military went to the area after receiving information from the group of Deodado Abugan Sr., chieftain of the Higaonon tribe in the area.

Abugan's group informed the military about the MILF's conduct of military-like training exercises at the camp.

The 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, which made public the pictures taken of the illegal MILF camp, reported that the structure is not among the several MILF camps recognized under the peace agreement with the government.

Government ceasefire committee head secretariat Maj. Carlos Sol said they are now implementing measures to address the issue.

Sol, meanwhile, clarified that the camp was not maintained by the MILF's 105th Base Command, whose members were involved in the deadly clash with Special Action Force members in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last January 25.